Obituary for Ronald T. Huotari
Iron Mountain- Ronald T. Huotari, 86, of Iron Mountain, Mich., passed away Saturday, August 7, 2021, at Dickinson County Healthcare System, Iron Mountain, Mich.
He was born June 22, 1935, in Humboldt, Mich., son of the late Toivo and Helen (Ulvinen) Huotari. Ron graduated from Champion High School, class of 1952. In November of 1952, he began working as a clerk for Cleveland-Cliffs Ohio Mine in Michigamme, Mich. Ron also worked at other Cliffs properties ending at the District Office in August of 1958. In November of 1958, Ron began a 30-year career with the Hanna Mining Company, where he operated mines starting with the Groveland Mine and ending as a Purchasing Agent until operations ceased in 1981. In March of 1981, he transferred to Hanna Butler Tac-onite in Nashwauk, Minn., where he later became a Purchasing Superintendent. He later moved to National Steel Pellet Plant in Keewatin, Minn., where he remained until his retirement on December 1, 1988. On October 21, 2003, he compiled the all-time list of Champion High School graduates (almost 1,000 from 1888-1974). This was the first step of what became the Champion/Beacon/Humboldt Historical Society and was one of the founders. Ron was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Mich., a proud member of the Finnish Group-Raha Ryhma and the Hanna Mining Retirement Groups. Ron married Arlene Maki on June 17, 1955, in Republic, Mich.
Ron enjoyed music, reading, automobiles, sports, and woodworking in his loosely-called “shop”.
Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Arlene Huotari; sons, Earl (Jill) and Keith (Jayna); daughters, Rhonda (Dean Sandri) and Lynda (Kevin Smith); grandchildren, Darrell (Ashley), Tara (Andy), Chelsea, Jordan, Dylan (Megan), Taylor (Kimberly), Tanner, James (Emily), and Joey (Lily); great-grandchildren, Avery, Colton, Tyson, Lilja, Whitney, Shane, Bryce, Evelyn, and Aiden; siblings, Lorraine Palmer, Ruth Pietela, Marilyn Rintamaki (Dan), Lloyd Huotari (Vivian), Wendell Huotari (Ginny), Kenneth Huotari (Sandra); and by a brother-in-law, Gerald Maki (Char).
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 12, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Mich. The funeral service will be Thursday, 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Paul Strom will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain, Mich.
The family would like to express a sincere thank you to Dr. Don Jacobs, who was always there for the family along with his nurses and the staff at Manor Care, the Marshfield Clinic, Marquette UPHP, and the caring nurses and doctors of Iron Mountain DCHS. The family remains forever indebted to the medical field for all they have experienced. The family would also like to express a sincere thank you to Pastor and Gretchen Strom for being available with the kind words and friendship, as well as the staff and members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and the Jacobs Funeral Home.
You may leave condolence or tribute for Ronald’s Family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com
The Family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Ronald’s legacy of life.
He was born June 22, 1935, in Humboldt, Mich., son of the late Toivo and Helen (Ulvinen) Huotari. Ron graduated from Champion High School, class of 1952. In November of 1952, he began working as a clerk for Cleveland-Cliffs Ohio Mine in Michigamme, Mich. Ron also worked at other Cliffs properties ending at the District Office in August of 1958. In November of 1958, Ron began a 30-year career with the Hanna Mining Company, where he operated mines starting with the Groveland Mine and ending as a Purchasing Agent until operations ceased in 1981. In March of 1981, he transferred to Hanna Butler Tac-onite in Nashwauk, Minn., where he later became a Purchasing Superintendent. He later moved to National Steel Pellet Plant in Keewatin, Minn., where he remained until his retirement on December 1, 1988. On October 21, 2003, he compiled the all-time list of Champion High School graduates (almost 1,000 from 1888-1974). This was the first step of what became the Champion/Beacon/Humboldt Historical Society and was one of the founders. Ron was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Mich., a proud member of the Finnish Group-Raha Ryhma and the Hanna Mining Retirement Groups. Ron married Arlene Maki on June 17, 1955, in Republic, Mich.
Ron enjoyed music, reading, automobiles, sports, and woodworking in his loosely-called “shop”.
Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Arlene Huotari; sons, Earl (Jill) and Keith (Jayna); daughters, Rhonda (Dean Sandri) and Lynda (Kevin Smith); grandchildren, Darrell (Ashley), Tara (Andy), Chelsea, Jordan, Dylan (Megan), Taylor (Kimberly), Tanner, James (Emily), and Joey (Lily); great-grandchildren, Avery, Colton, Tyson, Lilja, Whitney, Shane, Bryce, Evelyn, and Aiden; siblings, Lorraine Palmer, Ruth Pietela, Marilyn Rintamaki (Dan), Lloyd Huotari (Vivian), Wendell Huotari (Ginny), Kenneth Huotari (Sandra); and by a brother-in-law, Gerald Maki (Char).
Visitation will be held Thursday, August 12, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Iron Mountain, Mich. The funeral service will be Thursday, 11:00 a.m. at the church. Rev. Paul Strom will officiate. Burial will be in Cemetery Park, Iron Mountain, Mich.
The family would like to express a sincere thank you to Dr. Don Jacobs, who was always there for the family along with his nurses and the staff at Manor Care, the Marshfield Clinic, Marquette UPHP, and the caring nurses and doctors of Iron Mountain DCHS. The family remains forever indebted to the medical field for all they have experienced. The family would also like to express a sincere thank you to Pastor and Gretchen Strom for being available with the kind words and friendship, as well as the staff and members of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church and the Jacobs Funeral Home.
You may leave condolence or tribute for Ronald’s Family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com
The Family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Ronald’s legacy of life.